Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/419

 OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. 401 beloved Lutetia^, where the amusements of the theatre CHAP, were unknown or despised. He indignantly contrasted ^^^' the effeminate Syrians with the brave and honest sim- plicity of the Gauls ; and almost forgave the intempe- rance, which was the only stain of the Celtic character If Julian could now revisit the capital of France, he might converse with men of science and genius, capable of understanding and of instructing a disciple of the Greeks; he might excuse the lively and graceful folHes of a nation, wliose martial spirit has never been ener- vated by the indulgence of luxury ; and he must ap- plaud the perfection of that inestimable art, which softens and refines and embelHshes the intercourse of social life. Lutetia, was the ancient name of the city which, according to tiie fashion of the fourth century, assumed the territorial appellation of Parisii. '' Julian, in Misopogon. p. 359, 360. VOL. II. D d
 * T;)v <pit]v AivKSTiav. Julian, in IMisopogon. p. 340. Leucetia, oi